In a highly anticipated matchup, 27-year-old Jake Paul managed to defeat 58-year-old Mike Tyson in a fight streamed on Netflix. Paul was awarded the victory by unanimous decision, having landed over twice as many punches as Tyson. Observers noted that Tyson showed signs of decline, struggling to respond quickly from his corner and not being able to engage effectively with Paul.

Viewers also pointed out Tyson’s unusual habit of biting his glove throughout the fight. While this odd behavior raised eyebrows, it isn’t new for the veteran boxer. Here’s a brief look at this phenomenon.

Mike Tyson’s Unique Glove-Biting Habit

Though there’s limited footage from Tyson’s prime, we can reference his exhibition duel against Roy Jones Jr. in November 2020, where he was seen biting his left glove, just like in the recent fight with Paul.

The Reason Behind Tyson’s Glove-Biting

While it’s possible that this quirk is a way for Tyson to maintain his mouthguard, Tyson offered a more entertaining explanation during a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani.

This had a humorous link to his infamous incident with Evander Holyfield, where he bit Holyfield’s ear during their 1997 bout, much to the dismay of everyone involved.

Interestingly, Tyson’s lighthearted response might contain some truth. He suggested that fighters sometimes act without realizing their actions in the heat of the moment. This tendency to bite his glove could simply be an involuntary habit he developed over time.